You can take this to the bank, 3D is here again. But this time it is not just for the cinema, as 3D television systems will allow you to play real 3D DVDs on your own 3D DVD player and all from the comfort of your own easy chair.
Although the technology dates back to the beginning of the last century, it has not always received good press. Some of the movies released in three dimensions were downright rubbish and to some extent this eliminated any chance of it becoming mainstream, although if you ask a few they would say it was those hideous 3D glasses that put the final nail in. in the coffin.
So what has changed? It’s really because technology has been back in the spotlight, in recent years, by recent Hollywood blockers and Disney productions. This has been fueled by the massive success of Avatar, released in three dimensions, becoming the highest grossing film of all time. But Avatar was just one of 17 3D movies in 2009 and at least 12 more are already planned for 2010.
The speed at which the major players in the consumer electronics industry have joined in and brought the technology to the launch point has been staggering. It seems that the only thing that has been carrying out the massive launch has been the content; lack of 3D programs, players and DVDs.
All of that has changed as we leave the 1990s and enter this new decade. Amazon has embarked on the journey and now offers true 3D DVD movies, documentaries, series, and music DVDs that can be played on newer 2D or 3D Blu Ray DVD players. Recently, they also had a small batch of the first 3D Blu Ray DVD players, the Samsung BD-C6900. These were soon sold out at a price of $ 399 and as of this writing no announcement has been made as to when they will be available again. A good point on the subject of 3D DVD players is that the Sony PS3 can play 3D discs with a simple firmware update.
Broadcaster BSkyB is also springing into action from the beginning. His recent broadcast of the Arsenal-Manchester United game in 3D, played in a small group of nine pubs in the UK and Ireland, took the industry by storm. This followed their announcement that a full 3D channel will be available, to new and existing Sky HD + box subscribers, starting in April this year. ESPN will launch its 3D channel in June and will broadcast some 80 or more sporting events in 3D and the Discovery / Imax / Sony partnership will have its own version before the end of the year.
So you can watch, this time, with the promise of true 3D DVDs and broadcasts along with a 3D DVD player and 3D TV systems to see it all. Yes, 3D is here to change the way we watch television forever.